General ER back to normal after fire

The Ottawa Hospital's General campus emergency room is back to normal after nearly a week of disruptions because of a fire.

A hydro vault on the hospital's third floor caught fire Friday afternoonwhile workers were in the process of replacing it.

Nobody was injured, but about 100 patients in the floors above were forced by smoke and debris damage to relocate within the building or to other facilities.

Among them were 17 babies who were transferred by firefighters and hospital staff next door to CHEO, eastern Ontario's children's hospital in Ottawa.

The General's emergency department was closed and surgeries disrupted.

WATCH | What happened after Friday's fire:

Fire at The Ottawa Hospital forces evacuations, shuts ER

12 months ago

Duration 0:37

The Ottawa Hospital says it could take several more days before its General campus can return to normal operations after a fire Friday afternoon.

Power was restored Monday and on Tuesday, its ER reopened topatientstransported by ambulance.

"The Emergency Department is now taking patients and back to regular operations," according to a news release issued Thursday.

'We are so proud of how our whole community came together to support one another and ensure that everyone continued to access the care they needed," the release said.